Photo: Kitchener Rangers forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jeremy Bracco elected to end his NCAA career after five games to join the Rangers this past week (courtesy of Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

The Kitchener Rangers are off to a hot start thanks to a pair of former U.S. recruits. In the AHL, a pretty shootout move is only trumped by a goaltender who makes three saves in three seconds. In Sweden, a 15 year old prospect is raising some eyebrows with awe-inspiring moves of his own. Finally, the NHL is in full swing and Jack Eichel scored again, a pair of rookies have the ice to themselves, and Captain Clutch rocks out in Chicago. Read more»

Photo: Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman Noah Hanifin has appeared in nine games for the team in 2015-16, posting two assists in those appearances (courtesy of Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire)

A total of five defenseman make up half of the 11-20 section in the Hockey’s Future ranking of the Top 50 NHL prospects. Add in a goaltender, and you have six players whose primary focus is to prevent the opposing team from generating offense. Read more»

Photo: Peterborough Petes defenseman and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Dominik Masin, and Kingston Frontenacs forward and Florida Panthers prospect Juho Lammikko may one day be NHL divisional rivals, but they will go head-to-head in an interesting OHL clash this weekend (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images and Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

Auston Matthews is taking an unconventional path to the NHL, and has earned a few accolades already while playing in Switzerland. Two electric playmakers go head-to-head in a battle of assist machines in the QMJHL, and a pair of potential Canadian teammates will likely see a lot of each other in a weekend contest. The Tampa Bay Lightning’s newest signee lines up against a powerhouse forward in what could be a preview of what to expect in the future from both Floridian franchises. NCAA hockey is back, and two Top-20 teams are set to clash in a non-conference game to close out this week’s edition of Prospect Faceoff. Read more»